Arroyo not after House speakership

MANILA – Replacing House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is not on her mind, according to former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“I am not interested in the House speakership,” Arroyo said in an ambush interview after her news conference on Thursday.

A “plot” to give Arroyo the House speakership was allegedly one of the reasons for Alvarez’s rift with fellow Davao del Norte congressman Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr.

Alvarez removed Arroyo as deputy speaker for Central Luzon, making good on his promise to replace House leaders who voted against the death penalty bill.

Despite this Arroyo remained supportive to Alvarez, the Transportation secretary during her presidency, and the Duterte administration.

‘VINDICATION’

Meanwhile Arroyo described as vindication her acquittal from a plunder case that stemmed from the alleged misuse of P366 million worth of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) intelligence fund from 2008 to 2010.

“I am delighted with the Supreme Court decision ruling with finality my acquittal of the charges filed against me with respect to the PCSO case,” she said. “I feel fortunate that I was given the chance to clear my name. It is truly a vindication.”

Voting 11-4 on Tuesday, the high court upheld its earlier decision to dismiss the plunder charge against Arroyo due to “insufficiency of evidence.”

The prosecution did not properly allege and prove the existence of conspiracy between Arroyo and others accused, the Supreme Court had ruled.

It said there was no proof that Arroyo amassed, accumulated or acquired ill-gotten of at least P50 million./PN